Connolly, 31, was about to start the second season of a two-year deal worth $4.5 million annually. In the past, when healthy with the Buffalo Sabres, he showed point-per-game ability, but had 36 points in 70 games with the Maple Leafs—his lowest total since 2002-03.

Part of that was because his minutes were limited, as was his time in the top six, and that situation wasn't exactly set to change; lots of third-line minutes, behind Tyler Bozak and Mikhail Grabovski, were in his future.

“We felt that he was a top-six forward,” coach Randy Carlyle said Wednesday, according to The Globe and Mail. “But he didn’t play in that role last year when I first came here and he performed very well for me. So I would say that we can place Tim Connolly anywhere in the lineup. Historically he’s been an offensive player and been able to provide points. I don’t see us putting him on the fourth line. Anything above that, it’s possible.”

In the meantime, the move opens another spot on the roster for young forwards Nazem Kadri and Matt Frattin. Pension Plan Puppets has some potential line combinations, and after the move, the Leafs' third line is shaping up to be Kadri (a first-round pick in 2009, 26 points in 27 AHL games) between Frattin (16 points in 20 AHL games) and James van Riemsdyk (21 goals with the Flyers in 2010-11). None spent meaningful time with the Leafs last season; Frattin, at 25, is the oldest of the trio.

It's also anecdotal evidence against the Leafs' supposed desire to trade for Roberto Luongo—unless Nonis is gung-ho to add a 33-year-old goaltender to a team that has gotten meaningfully younger in the Past 48 hours. Nonis took over for Brian Burke, who was fired last week.